The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping
by Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President
WHAT?
I’d like to begin by sharing a story that touches my heart.
One evening a man called his five sheep to come into the shelter for the night. His family watched with great interest as he simply called, “Come on,” and immediately all five heads lifted and turned in his direction. Four sheep broke into a run toward him. With loving-kindness he gently patted each of the four on the head. The sheep knew his voice and loved him.
But the fifth sheep didn’t come running. She was a large ewe that a few weeks earlier had been given away by her owner, who reported that she was wild, wayward, and always leading the other sheep astray. The new owner accepted the sheep and staked her in his own field for a few days so she would learn to stay put. He patiently taught her to love him and the other sheep until eventually she had only a short rope around her neck but was no longer staked down.
That evening as his family watched, the man approached the ewe, which stood at the edge of the field, and again he gently said, “Come on. You aren’t tied down anymore. You are free.” Then lovingly he reached out, placed his hand on her head, and walked back with her and the other sheep toward the shelter.1
. . .
Let us remember that even those who have been wayward in the past or who are currently struggling can feel the touch of the Good Shepherd’s hand upon their heads and hear His voice saying: “Come on. You aren’t tied down anymore. You are free.” The Savior said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) He can say that because He kept His covenants with love. The question then is, will we? May we go forth with faith, cheerful hearts, and a great desire to be covenant keepers. This is how we demonstrate our love for our Father in Heaven and our Savior, both of whom I testify with great love in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
SO WHAT?
In my life I have experienced many of God's sheep who have gone astray. Most, if not all, have done so because they have failed to recognize the Savior's love for them. Even if they accept that He gave His life for His sheep, they somehow don't feel part of His fold. They misinterpret their freedom and use it for a pseudo-freedom they think they have in "doing their own thing" instead of the true freedom and protection of Jesus Christ. Most learn to their sorrow that the little poor choices, one linked to another, soon become binding chains. Nephi taught this about Satan: And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance (2 Nephi 28:22) That sort of freedom is not freedom at all, but slavery to sin.
NOW WHAT?
The reason this story appealed to me is that the shepherd gathered in the lost sheep with gentle words and "love unfeigned" How do we do it? Too often it is with nagging, shaming, and blaming.
The Lord taught the Prophet, Joseph Smith, the way His Church should be governed when one of the flock go astray. From the 121 Section of the Doctrine and Covenants we read:
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, [or anyone in a shepherd's position, including parents] only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
Reproving betimes [in the immediate moment] with sharpness [clarity], when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
Let thy bowels also be full of charity [Christ-like love; agape] towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; . . .
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion . . . (verses 41-46)
A daily challenge for all of us who would model our lives after that of the Good Shepherd as we love others with the pure love of Christ.
Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education
Pictures:
Sheep from www.images.yahoo.com
The Good Shepherd from www.tabernaclefortoday.org
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